Fuel Business in Springfield Hit by Fire

A fire at a Springfield fuel distribution company is now under control as 50 agencies, including every fire department in Clark County battled the blaze since it started late this morning.

The Springfield News-Sun reports that explosions at the RD Holder Oil Company at 2219 Folk Ream Road northwest of Springfield, could be heard while flames at times blossomed 200 feet into the sky. A thick, black plume of smoke could be seen for miles as soot and ash fell near the site. Some homes near the fire were evacuated.

Heather Lauer of the Environmental Protection Agency says that some oil spilled into a waterway next to the plant, describing it as “running orange-red.” An environmental services company has placed booms into the waterway to prevent the oil from spreading into Donnels Creek.

State fire marshal investigators are looking into the cause. But one fire chief told the newspaper he believed it was a mishap with fuel and not a criminal act.

Authorities said the fire ignited while a truck was being loaded late Thursday morning. The blaze then spread quickly to a warehouse. The business supplies fuel, heating oil, and heavy lubricants.